When’s the last time that you checked your car’s air pressure in the tires? This simple task is easy to forget, but plays a huge role in your car’s performance. Inaccurate tire air pressure can cause poor mileage, uneven tire wear, and even a popped tire. The next time that you’re stopped at the gas station with an air hose, take a moment to check your tires and fill them up if necessary.
Steps to Inflate Your Tires
1. Be sure to reference your owner’s manual to get the correct PSI suggested for your car.
2. Un-screw the valve stem cap from each tire and gauge your air pressure.
3. Determine if you need to add air and begin adding air one tire at a time.
4. Don’t forget to place the valve stem caps back on your tires.
5. Not done yet! If you have a spare tire, adjust the pressure on the spare as well so that you are prepared in an emergency.
Tips
You can’t rely on the eyeball method to appropriately gauge the air in your tires. Why not keep a tire gauge in your car for emergencies and regular maintenance checks? Beware never to over or under inflate your tires as this can increase the potential to damage your tires. You may find that you need to adjust for heavy loads and extreme temperatures. The most critical time to check your tires is during extreme cold or heat. For every 10 degree Fahrenheit change in temperature, the tire pressure will change about 2%. It will go up with warm temperature, and down with colder weather.
